Shalom Valley
5 Year Anniversary Celebration

Shalom Valley campsite is just outside of Kep, on the coast of Cambodia - 3 hours drive from Phnom Penh.

The November Gathering is by invite-only for those who have been involved in the establishment of Shalom Valley - Board Members, Partner Churches (Tenth, AACC, KCC, HCC), donors, staff, volunteers, etc.

Alli Hodges (alli@alongsiders.org) and Mei Meas (marketing@alongsiders.org) are organizing the overall program. You can contact either of them with any questions about logistics, accommodation, food, travel, etc.

Other individuals are in charge of certain parts of the program:

• Daroth (daroth@alongsiders.org) - Coaching Workshop
  

• Mei - Phnom Penh Experience

• Craig (craig@alongsiders.org) - Board Retreat

• Kimhong (kimhong@alongsiders.org)

• Nay (nay@alongsiders.org) - After Camp relaxation

Tuesday 21st November to Friday 1st December 2023.

Alongsiders is glad you can make it to Cambodia - we know flights are expensive! - and we will cover your main meals and accommodation once you are in Cambodia for the main program.

If you would like to contribute towards that cost we can let you know how much that will be once we have a few more things worked out.

On arrival in Phnom Penh we will meet you at the airport and help you get a local SIM card which is very cheap. You will then be able to use Grab or PassApp (similar to Uber) to get around the city on your own.

When there are official events happening we will arrange transport for those (meals, office visit, Team fun day, getting to and from Shalom Valley etc.)

Simply complete the Celebration Registration Form on this page and let us know all your details.

The closing date for registration is the end of September 2023.

In Phnom Penh, we are booking a local guesthouse called Kesor Guesthouse which is a 10 minute walk from the Alongsiders Support Centre. The rooms are clean and have aircon and wifi. It is a stone’s throw from the market and local shops.

If you wish to stay in a hotel with a pool and restaurant you are free to book at Larimar Resort Hotel which is about $40 USD per night.

At Shalom Valley, we hope to accommodate everyone onsite at the camp.

The Coaching Workshop is being offered to Alongsiders and other Khmer leaders by Lee Tracie-Stockburger from the Alongsiders Canadian Board along with one of her coaching colleagues from Novus Global.

Board Members are able to attend if they commit to the full 2 days.

For those not attending the workshop there will be optional alternative activities to explore Phnom Penh along with some of our local team.

On Friday morning, you will come to the Alongsiders Support Centre to meet the amazing Khmer team that work behind the scenes to support the Alongsiders movements in 30 countries.

You’ll get to hear testimonies and stories from Alongsiders and former Little Brothers and Sisters themselves (who happen to be on staff), as well as see how we make animations, and how we use artificial intelligence and other tech to streamline our operations.

After lunch with the staff, we’ll have our usual Friday afternoon worship and Bible Study. Then we’ll depart for Shalom Valley.

The BIG celebration will be a special part of our time together. We are inviting everyone who has served with Shalom Valley in some way to join us (anticipating around 150 people).

We will have some special performances, testimonies, thank you’s, buffet meal, worship and fellowship from 5pm to 9pm, culminating in a bonfire.

During this event we will be dedicating 3 of the 8 bungalows to various people for different reasons.

1. Linda Gotts was the chair of the Alongsiders Canada Board. She was deeply involved in Alongsiders from the early days as the Missions Pastor at Tenth Church and travelled to Cambodia many times. Linda passed away a couple of years ago after a long illness.

2. Dave and Dawn Greenfield provided the early oversight of the Shalom Valley building project during their five years living in Cambodia. They were heavily involved in the envisioning and planning process for the camp, and raising up of resources. They currently serve on the NZ Board.

3. Noeurn was a “little brother” who was preparing to become an Alongsider. He gave his life to save another little brother when he jumped into the flood waters to push him to safety.

Camp will include sharing meals, playing sport, swimming/chilling by the pool, participating in Shalom Valley's outdoor adventure activities, (SV water obstacle course, zip line, team games, etc), times of worship, Bible teaching, small group discussions, evening bonfires, and basically having loads of fun.

The camp attendees will be YOU (special visitors) as well as about 150 Alongsiders and their Little Brothers and Sisters.

These camps are always incredibly inspiring and you get to see the Alongsiders in action!

On your registration form there is a question about any special talents or skills or interests you might have to contribute at the camp. We’d love to include you, or you can simply pray, participate and observe.

Accommodation for special guests will be in the aircon bungalows. However, if you are interested in staying in a tent, this is also available.

The dorms (and most tents) will be allocated to the Alongsiders campers.

No, all bedding, mattresses, equipment will be provided by Shalom Valley.

Yes, if we have adequate notice the Shalom Valley kitchen can cater for special dietary requirements.

All campers are welcome to bring their own coffee, tea, drinks and snacks to Shalom Valley. Please ensure they are stored in secure containers and food must NOT be kept in the dorms as they attract pests.

Shalom Valley has an on-site café next to the pool that will be selling barista coffees, cold drinks and snacks.

Yes, the program is designed so that the earlier and later parts can be missed if necessary. Of course, the main events are the Support Centre Day (Nov 24), the big celebration on Saturday night (Nov 25) and the camp. So you don’t want to miss those!